The Duke of Cambridge has paid a moving tribute to the Queen on the eve of her
Diamond Jubilee celebrations, describing his grandmother as “an incredible
role model”.

In a personal gesture to mark her 60-year reign, the Duke selected his favourite photograph of the Queen and himself together, taken at his passing out ceremony at the Sandhurst military academy in 2006.

Describing his fond memories of the event, when the Duke, then 24, was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals regiment, he said: “Taking part in the Sovereign’s Parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is a moment I will never forget. After a very demanding 44-week course, it was a memorable celebration of personal and collective achievement for everyone concerned.

“I felt especially proud to receive my commission as an officer in front of my grandmother, the Queen. She has been an incredible role model to me over the years, so it was very special to have her present for my graduation. I know it was also a memorable moment for my fellow officers to take part in the Parade in front of the Queen as Head of the Armed Forces.”

During the parade, the first event that the then Kate Middleton attended with senior members of the Royal Family, the Queen inspected the cadets, stopping in front of her grandson to say a few words which made the Duke smile.

He has selected the image of him sharing a joke with his grandmother for the Historypin photo-sharing website, which has invited people to choose their favourite images of the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The Duke also praised the Queen for her “selflessness and duty”. He said: “I remember the Queen’s words as she addressed us from the tremendous parade ground at Sandhurst: “You must be courageous yet selfless, leaders yet carers, confident yet considerate.” These qualities of selflessness and duty are values that the Queen has continuously demonstrated over the last 60 years and are qualities that remain very important to me.”